Several years ago my wife and I opened a Joint Credit Account with Reeds Jewelers - she was listed as the primary account holder, I was listed as a co-signer. The Reeds card was issued by World Financial Network National Bank and had a credit limit of $2,000.
On May 4 my wife walked out, and I filed for divorce on May 7. At this same time, I also called Reeds and asked them to close this joint account - which they did and sent me a letter confirming the account had been closed.
In late August I began to receive phone calls from World Financial Network Bank (WFNNB) looking for my wife. They would not tell me the reason for the phone call, but I figured it wasn't good news. About this same time I received a Reeds bill in the mail (addressed to my wife). Worried that the account had been re-opened, I took the bill to my local Reeds store. The store manager opened the bill and informed me that in early July several charges were made on the account - in the amount of about $2,000 and that the account was 2 weeks past due. I asked if my name was on the account, which they confirmed that it was as a co-signer. I later confirmed this by obtaining a copy of my credit report - and sure enough, the $2,000 charge is listed and I am listed as a responsible party.
I called WFNNB customer service while standing in the Reeds store. They told me that since I was not the primary account holder, they could not discuss anything with me - although they would allow me to make a payment over the phone. I tried explaining the situation to them, but again they said they could not discuss anything with me.
I contacted my divorce lawyer and asked that she send a letter to both Reeds and WFNNB explaining the situation to them in writting. After several weeks, a letter was sent (addressed to my wife) that said they have reviewed the situation and will not remove my name from the account.
My divorce lawyer suggested that I make payments to keep the account current so that I would not be reported "late" to the credit reporting companies and risk my good credit rating. I have brought the account current, and am currently making the minimum payments.
In early October I hired a lawyer who specializes in consumer law. He had made several phone calls and sent a letter - Reeds and WFNNB are still refusing to remove my name from the account.
This is a no-win situation for me. If I fail to make the payments, my credit will be destroyed and a judgement will be issued. If I pay the account off and close it again, there is nothing to stop Reeds / WFNNB from re-opening the account and allowing my ex-wife to rack up charges.
The issue is that Reeds / WFNNB re-opened a closed joiint-account without my knowledge or permission and allowed a $2,000 charge to be placed on the account. To date (November 3) Reeds and WFNNB are still resfusing to remove my name from this account. I find it troubling that Reeds / WFNNB have refused to even discuss this matter with me, or how they can hold me libale for the charges when they re-opened the account without my knowledge or permission.
I have no idea how this will be resovled. Reeds / WFNNB need to step up, admit their error, remove my name from the account, and reimburse me for $700 in legal expenses that I have had to pay in an attempt to resolve this situation.
As of November 3 my attorney and I are still working to resolve things, but I will post updates as things progress.
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